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American bombers and transport aircrafts
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Airframes
Benevolens Magister
On this model of the B25 (B25C/D), it was just an observer's position. On the 'Doolittle' raid, false guns, supposedly broom handles, were fitted into the perspex blister, to give the appearance of a gun position. On the later models, such as the B25J, a proper tail gun position was incorporated, with a raised perspex cupola.
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The B-26 Marauder is one of the most recognizable planes produced by the Glenn L. Martin Company. Its origins are rooted in the development the attack bomber in 1938 and 1939. The plane was designed to meet specifications outlined by the Army Air Corps for a new medium bomber. The Martin design, Model 179, incorporated many advanced design features, in many cases surpassing the requirements of the competition. Just weeks before fighting broke out in Europe, the Model 179 was chosen the winner of the contract. Originally awarded a contract for 201 planes, another 990 were ordered before the B-26 had even flown as part of President Roosevelt's "50,000-plane" program in the fall of 1940. November 25, 1940 saw the first flight of the B-26. After reviewing the performance of the aircraft, the British placed an order for 459 additional planes. It was the Royal Air Force (RAF) who gave the plane the name Marauder, in place of the company proposed name – the "Martian." The company began delivering aircraft to the Air Corps in February 1941, with the RAF not receiving planes until 1942.
In response to the coming war, the B-26 had been rushed from the drawing board to the production line. This led to many early problems with the B-26. The B-26 had high take-off and landing speeds due to the high wing loads of the aircraft. This resulted in several training accidents with pilots at MacDill Field, where new bomber groups trained, nicknaming the plane "the widow maker." In response to these early problems, a number of steps were taken, including better trainers and a number of design improvements. The Marauder was initially deployed to the Pacific, but long take-off and landing distances hampered its effectiveness. Bomber groups we shifted to North Africa and Europe where the B-26 eventually experience greater success. Early missions in Europe however did not go well. One famous disaster in particular saw a planed mission to knock out a power station in Ijmuiden, Holland end disastrously with ten bombers were lost and one aborted. These types of incidents led war planners in Europe to order a halt to the low level bombing missions that had been effective in Japan. The change to higher altitude runs, adding fighter escort and a design that proved extremely resistant to anti-aircraft fire led to far fewer losses. At the end of the war, the Army Air Force lost fewer Marauders than any other bomber. In May 1944, "Hell's Belle II" was the first Marauder to reach the 100 mission milestone.
As the war ended, so did the life of the Marauder. The Air Force quickly moved to take the planes out of service. By the end of 1948 all of the Marauders had been removed from service. Few of the 5,266 Marauders that were built remain, most of these are held in museum collections.
In response to the coming war, the B-26 had been rushed from the drawing board to the production line. This led to many early problems with the B-26. The B-26 had high take-off and landing speeds due to the high wing loads of the aircraft. This resulted in several training accidents with pilots at MacDill Field, where new bomber groups trained, nicknaming the plane "the widow maker." In response to these early problems, a number of steps were taken, including better trainers and a number of design improvements. The Marauder was initially deployed to the Pacific, but long take-off and landing distances hampered its effectiveness. Bomber groups we shifted to North Africa and Europe where the B-26 eventually experience greater success. Early missions in Europe however did not go well. One famous disaster in particular saw a planed mission to knock out a power station in Ijmuiden, Holland end disastrously with ten bombers were lost and one aborted. These types of incidents led war planners in Europe to order a halt to the low level bombing missions that had been effective in Japan. The change to higher altitude runs, adding fighter escort and a design that proved extremely resistant to anti-aircraft fire led to far fewer losses. At the end of the war, the Army Air Force lost fewer Marauders than any other bomber. In May 1944, "Hell's Belle II" was the first Marauder to reach the 100 mission milestone.
As the war ended, so did the life of the Marauder. The Air Force quickly moved to take the planes out of service. By the end of 1948 all of the Marauders had been removed from service. Few of the 5,266 Marauders that were built remain, most of these are held in museum collections.
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The 22nd Bomb Group was the first American air group to receive the B-26, this at Langley Field in February of 1941. This initial group consisted of B-26 and B-26A models. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the official declaration of war on the Empire by America, the 22nd was the only group with B-26's in stock and were expectedly pressed into service in the South West Pacific. The 22nd BG arrived in Brisbane, Australia after a short stop in Muroc, California, becoming part of the US Fifth Air Force, and was soon put to task with engaging Japanese targets beginning with Rabaul on April 5th, 1942. Other attacks followed and a flight of four B-26A's took part in the Battle of Midway, providing an offensive punch via torpedo strikes on enemy vessels. Despite its usefulness, the North American B-25 Mitchell - a similar twin-engine medium bomber - was finding more success and therefore more use in the theater than the B-26's. The 22nd BG was eventually upgraded with B-26B models by May of 1942. These improved Marauders allowed for continued use of the type that even included actions in along the Aleutian Island chain in 1942. During its first year of action, B-26's were generally restricted to the Pacific Theater but eventually saw extended use - and better results - in Europe and the Mediterranean.
Marauders were used in anger during the Operation Torch landings in North Africa. In this action, Marauders proved their worth, flying with bomb group elements of the 12th Air Force. The B-26 under the RAF Middle East Command in North Africa were noted by their designation of Marauder Mk I (B-26A), Marauder Mk IA (B-26B), Marauder Mk II (B-26C/B-26F) and Marauder Mk III (B-26G). The RAF, which fielded no more than two complete squadrons of Marauders (No. 14 and No. 39) received a batch of 52 Mk I and Mk IA models while totals of Mk II's and Mk III's topped 250 and 150 respectively.
American B-26 units arrived in England by March of 1943, Though results were initially poor with low-level bombing runs, the type saw new life in medium- and high-altitude attacks. In one such case, the complete 322nd Bomber Group flying at low-level was eliminated by ground and aircraft fire in an attempted strike on Ijmuiden, forcing the hand of Allied warplanners to make changes in their approach when utilizing the potent B-26. After adoption of higher-flying bombing techniques, the B-26 was repositioned as a proven and valued stalwart of the Allied bombing campaigns throughout the rest of the war in Europe though phasing out of the type began in 1945. In the end, the B-26 proved to be a fitting addition to the Allied air arsenal, posting an impeccable service record. B-26's went on to have the lowest combat loss rate of any American aircraft in the conflict, owing something to its stellar design but more to the crews who flew her through her 110,000 sorties.
Marauders were used in anger during the Operation Torch landings in North Africa. In this action, Marauders proved their worth, flying with bomb group elements of the 12th Air Force. The B-26 under the RAF Middle East Command in North Africa were noted by their designation of Marauder Mk I (B-26A), Marauder Mk IA (B-26B), Marauder Mk II (B-26C/B-26F) and Marauder Mk III (B-26G). The RAF, which fielded no more than two complete squadrons of Marauders (No. 14 and No. 39) received a batch of 52 Mk I and Mk IA models while totals of Mk II's and Mk III's topped 250 and 150 respectively.
American B-26 units arrived in England by March of 1943, Though results were initially poor with low-level bombing runs, the type saw new life in medium- and high-altitude attacks. In one such case, the complete 322nd Bomber Group flying at low-level was eliminated by ground and aircraft fire in an attempted strike on Ijmuiden, forcing the hand of Allied warplanners to make changes in their approach when utilizing the potent B-26. After adoption of higher-flying bombing techniques, the B-26 was repositioned as a proven and valued stalwart of the Allied bombing campaigns throughout the rest of the war in Europe though phasing out of the type began in 1945. In the end, the B-26 proved to be a fitting addition to the Allied air arsenal, posting an impeccable service record. B-26's went on to have the lowest combat loss rate of any American aircraft in the conflict, owing something to its stellar design but more to the crews who flew her through her 110,000 sorties.
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Excellent shots....
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Great pics, thanks for posting.
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keep 'em coming....8)
vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
Excellent!
Aaron Brooks Wolters
Brigadier General
David, I think it's just on 75mm and two dummies. In post 97, fourth picture down may give and idea of what we are seeing.
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Shortround6
Major General
They may be covers for the .50 cal guns to keep debris out of them on the ground.
michaelmaltby
Colonel
Can anyone tell me 'who' and 'how' the two pairs of cheek-mounted 50's were aimed and fired - same I guess as with the B-25.
Always wanted to know.
MM
Always wanted to know.
MM
vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
Thanks fellas!
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